Protestantism
Born from Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517). Core principles: sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), priesthood of all believers. Fragmented into thousands of denominations.
Sub-topics
Founded by Martin Luther in 1517, Germany. Justification by faith alone. Retained liturgical worship and sacraments while rejecting papal authority. ~80 million adherents.
Founded by Zwingli and Calvin in 1520s Switzerland. Predestination, sovereignty of God, TULIP theology. Influenced Puritans, Huguenots, and Presbyterian traditions.
Established 1534 by Henry VIII's break with Rome. Via media (middle way) between Catholicism and Protestantism. Book of Common Prayer. ~85 million in the Anglican Communion.
Radical Reformation, 1525 Switzerland. Adult baptism, pacifism, separation of church and state. Persecuted by both Catholics and Protestants. Parent of Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites.
Founded 1609 in Amsterdam by John Smyth. Believer's baptism by immersion, congregational governance, religious liberty. ~100 million worldwide; Southern Baptist Convention is the largest Protestant body in the USA.
Founded by John Wesley in 1730s England. Emphasis on personal holiness, social justice, and methodical devotion. Gave rise to the Holiness movement and influenced Pentecostalism.
Founded by George Fox in 1650s England. Inner Light — direct experience of God without clergy, sacraments, or creeds. Pioneered abolition, women's rights, and pacifism.
Founded by John Knox in 1560s Scotland, rooted in Calvinist theology. Governed by elders (presbyters) rather than bishops. Strong emphasis on education and intellectual rigor.